er bed before scurrying back out； and when Chloe reached
the front desk； she learned that Ross had already checked out。
She was immediately disappointed； then annoyed with herself It was
better this way。 She was too vulnerable； if the previous night's kiss
meant anything。 Ross made her feel beautiful things； things she didn't
deserve。
She was alive。 That was enough。 She reasoned that it was far better that
he should be gone from her life。
When the day manager had handed her Ross's note； though； she was livid。
〃Chloe；〃 he had scrawled in a bold hand； 〃Had to leave to catch the
early plane。 Your car is taken care of Someone from the inn will take
you there。〃 It was signed； 〃Love； Ross。〃 and was punctuated with a
period as a statement of fact。
He had no business doing that； had no business using the word love so
blithely。 But that was the least of it。 It seemed that he had paid her
tab at the inn and the cost of a new battery and its installation。
She ran on down the beach； struggling to forget about Ross； to push him
from mind； to focus on work。 But he remained； along with her wounded
pride。 She had stewed all the way from Rye to Little pton that
morning。 On arriving home； she had gotten the address of the Hansen
Corporation and sent a check out in the mail that same day； with a note
that was much less personal than his。
〃Enclosed is a check to cover the expenses I incurred last night and
this morning。 Chloe Macdaniel。〃 She hadn't asked him to take care of
her。 She didn't need him to take care of her。 She didn't want to feel
beholden to him in any way； shape； or form； because one thing was clear。
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